Climate
Like many states in Straya, the climate varies quite drastically depending on where in Victoria you live. In such situations, it’s a good idea to have some tricks up your sleeve to keep your chooks comfortable in whatever climate your region has to offer. We’ve created a page to do just that, one which explains several precautions you may want to take if it gets a bit warm or a bit cool for your birds.
As you know, Vic can experience quite a bit of rainfall, particularly in the Otway Ranges. Hens can usually deal quite well with temperatures on the cool side, but as a species they don’t fare well when they are damp. If it’s particularly rainy in your area, you might want to invest in a plastic coop, such as the Eglu, and obtain some weather protection for your hens’ run. If it is chillier and wetter than usual, it’s also advisable to clean your birds out more frequently, as a damp roosting space is particularly unpleasant.
Chickens thrive in temperate weather, when they can roam around during the day
If you’re keen on keeping chickens, then you’ll need to check the specific government regulations on chicken-keeping in your area. This will vary drastically from region to region, but things that may have legislation include:
- If you can keep birds
- The number of birds you can keep
- The gender of birds you can keep
- Where you can keep the birds
For example, at the time of writing, the City of Greater Geelong requires that anyone who wants to keep a certain number of birds needs a permit to do so. It is also mentioned, amongst other laws, that people whose land is less than 4000 square metres cannot keep roosters. Before you bring chickens into your home, it’s important that you thoroughly check the local regulations in your area.
Events
As you become more enthusiastic about your hens, you might want to branch out a little and attend some local poultry events. This is a great way to meet like-minded people, and to have some great discussions about your birds! As time goes by, more and more poultry associations have an online presence, so it’s a good idea to check there, but you also may want to ask at local pet shops or ask a breeder.
If you live near Geelong, you might be interested in contacting the Geelong and District Poultry Club, or, if you live anywhere near Bacchus Marsh, there’s the Footscray and District Poultry Club.
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